As expected, the UCONN huskies blew out a very weak Depaul team 82-62 in a rare Big East laugher. Kemba Walker led the way with his Big East career high of 31 points followed by Jeremy Lamb with 13 and Alex Oriakhi with 11.
The most interesting aspect of today's game is that Coach Jim Calhoun has still not settled on his rotation. Walker, Oriakhi and Freshman Roscoe Smith have established themselves as starters but Calhoun used a very different rotation than in Tuesday's win at Rutgers. It is my impression that he believes that his best back court combo as starters is Walker and Lamb. It is obvious now that Lamb saw very few minutes in the prior two games because Calhoun was sending a message that the talented Freshman needed to get more aggressive. Lamb got the message and exploited the weak Blue Demon defense for 13 points. I think that Calhoun would rather use Napier off the bench because he is one of those players who can instantaneously up the energy level of a team. Giffey continues to show little and I think Calhoun feels that if Olander can cut down on the careless fouls he is his best bet down low. The improving Combs-Mcdaniel will get time up front and Donnell Beverley continues to add some solid minutes at point.
I have to partially rescind my comments about SNY's broadcast teams. Todays duo was horrible, particularly ex Villanova star John Celestan. He called Calhoun Jim boeheim twice and referred to Jeremy Lamb as one of the best shooters on the team.
The huskies have a tougher go next week with #7 ranked Villanova away on Monday, then Tennessee at home on Saturday in a nationally broadcast game.
I think this weeks wins will essentially not effect the Huskies in the polls; my guess is that they will move up from #10 to #9 ahead of Notre Dame in the AP poll as the Irish got badly beat by unranked Marquette on Monday.
"You Heard it here First"
Steve
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